MRI contrast material for In vivo mapping of Tissue transglutaminase activity
Galit Mazooz, Silvio Aime , Mark W. Dewhirst and Michal Neeman
Transglutaminases form a family of enzymes that evolved in covalent cross-linking of proteins. The cross–linking activity can serve disparate biological processes depending on the location of the target protein. Extracellular activation of tissue transglutaminase (tTG) contributes to stabilization of the Extracellular matrix (ECM) and promotes cell – substrate interaction. To generate new matrix, tumors as well as newly formed angiogenic blood vessels, are known to elicit woundhealing responses from the host tissues resulting in formation of granulation tissue at the advancing margins of the tumors. In addition, the enzymatic activity of tTG is a critical component of clotting.
